The recovery of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes from spent mushroom compost was assessed using a variety of physical and chemical treatments. Maximum recoveries of active xylanase activity were detected in extracts from spent compost which had been physically treated by blending. A range of lignocellulose-degrading activities was also recovered from blended compost extracts; peroxidases, the xylan-debranching enzymes acetylesterase and arabinofuranosidase, and the cellolose-degrading activities endoglucanase, cellobiohydrase and beta-glucosidase. The compost extract was also shown to be capable of releasing reducing sugars (12 nmol min(-1) g compost(-1)) from wheat straw. Characterization of the stability of this enzyme activity showed that maximum activity could be detected between pH 7 and 9 and after 1 h incubation at 65 degrees C. The activity and stability of the enzymes suggest a potential role for enzyme cocktails from compost extracts in the biological upgrading of grass lignocelluloses to animal fodder.